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Immigration

Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.

301 records in US in 2019

Records

Bill· SS. 1247 (116th)referred

Duty To Report Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Duty To Report Act This bill requires political committees, candidates for federal office, and other individuals to report to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) any offers of prohibited contributions, including offers of nonpublic information regarding other candidates, by foreign nationals. Specifically, political committees and candidates must report to the FEC within 24 hours any (1) offers of prohibited contributions from foreign nationals, and (2) meetings with foreign governments or their agents. In addition, the bill requires political committees, candidates, immediate family members of candidates, and individuals affiliated with a campaign (e.g., employees and independent contractors) to report to the FBI within 24 hours any offers of prohibited contributions from foreign nationals. Further, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly and willfully failing to comply with this reporting requirement. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both. Such reported information may not be used to enforce certain immigration provisions related to the removal of undocumented aliens.

Bill· SS. 1243 (116th)referred

Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish standards for facilities holding aliens in its custody, phases out using non-DHS facilities for such purposes, and contains other related provisions. The standards shall comply with the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) shall conduct periodic unannounced inspections of each facility and shall take various actions against noncompliant facilities, including imposing fines, cancelling contracts, and closing facilities. DHS shall report to Congress any death of an alien in its custody within 24 hours and conduct an investigation within 30 days that identifies policy changes that could reduce the likelihood of such a death. DHS is prohibited from entering into contracts for third parties to operate detention facilities and shall terminate existing contracts within three years of the bill's enactment. The bill establishes that OIG facility inspection reports and contracts for an outside entity to operate a detention facility are records available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. DHS shall maintain certain information relating to detained aliens, including the alien's location and whether the alien was separated from family. The bill provides for various requirements and procedures related to detaining aliens, including (1) prohibiting DHS from detaining children, (2) imposing a presumption that an alien should be released, and (3) establishing that aliens in custody shall be subject to the least restrictive conditions. The bill also abolishes mandatory detention for asylum seekers.

Bill· HRH.R. 2378 (116th)referred

Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019

Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act This bill establishes that a surviving spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen public safety officer may be naturalized at the time of the officer's death if the death was caused by an injury incurred or aggravated by the officer's employment. The individual may be naturalized upon compliance with the relevant immigration law requirements, except that no prior residence or specified U.S. physical presence shall be required. A surviving spouse seeking naturalization must have been living in marital union with the officer at the time of death. Public safety officers include law enforcement officers, firefighters, or chaplains, and certain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees engaged in hazardous duties.

Bill· HRH.R. 2346 (116th)referred

Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and Their Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2019

Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and Their Families Act This bill establishes that any person who has served under honorable conditions as a member of the Armed Forces in support of contingency operations shall be eligible for naturalization as if the person had served during a period of presidentially-designated military hostilities. (Contingency operations are operations where Armed Forces members are or may become involved in military actions, operations, or hostilities, or that result in the call to active duty) The bill extends the period for filing a naturalization application from six months to one year after completing eligible military service. An alien eligible for a family-sponsored visa and is either the spouse or child of a permanent resident alien serving in the Armed Forces shall be exempt from worldwide visa numerical limitations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may adjust to permanent resident status an alien who is a parent, spouse, child, son or daughter, or minor sibling of a person who has served in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions. The bill permits posthumous benefits under specified circumstances. DHS must give prior approval before a notice to appear in a removal proceeding may be issued against an alien who has served honorably in the Armed Forces. Before giving such approval, DHS shall consider factors such as the alien's record of service, grounds of deportability applicable to the alien, and any hardship to the Armed Forces or the alien or family members if placed in removal proceedings. Such an alien may shall not be removed based on certain grounds of inadmissibility or detained after ordered removed.

Bill· HRH.R. 2347 (116th)referred

Border and Refugee Assistance Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2019

Border and Refugee Assistance Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to work to expand in-country refugee application processing centers in the Northern Triangle countries (typically defined as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador). It also states that victims of domestic violence and gangs are eligible for refugee protections.

Bill· SS. 1165 (116th)referred

Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019

Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act This bill amends provisions relating to responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the care of unaccompanied alien children. The Office of Refugee Resettlement of HHS may provide care for an unaccompanied alien child until the conclusion of the child's immigration proceedings or the child reaching 18 years of age, whichever occurs first. Before placing an unaccompanied alien child with a sponsor, the office shall evaluate the child's future need for follow-up services. Before placing an accompanied alien child, HHS shall (1) require the proposed sponsor to execute a sponsor care agreement, (2) notify the welfare agency of the state where the child will be placed, and (3) conduct a background check of the sponsor and all adults living in the household in which the child will reside. Under the care agreement, each sponsor shall agree to (1) provide for the child's physical and mental well-being, and (2) ensure the child's presence at immigration proceedings and compliance with all court and agency orders. HHS shall assume physical custody of a child if the non-parent or legal guardian sponsor fails to comply with the care agreement. HHS shall periodically report to Congress on instances where a sponsor failed to comply with a care agreement. The Department of Justice shall increase the number of immigration judge teams by at least 225.

Bill· HRH.R. 2289 (116th)referred

Notario Victim Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

Notario Victim Relief Act This bill eliminates the time limit for an alien to file a motion to reopen removal proceedings where the alien's motion seeks relief based on allegations of certain misdeeds by a representative or a person claiming to be a representative, specifically (1) fraud; (2) negligence; (3) misrepresentation; or (4) extortion by, or attempted, promised, or actual practice of law without authorization on the part of, such representative. Currently, motions to reopen must be filed within 90 days of the entry of a final order of removal, with certain exceptions.

Bill· HRH.R. 2278 (116th)referred

RAISE Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act or the RAISE Act This bill eliminates the diversity visa program, replaces employment-based immigration programs with a points-based system, and imposes various limits on various types of immigration. Aliens that reach the minimum number of points may apply for a points-based visa. Points are awarded for various characteristics including age, English language proficiency, education level, and investments made in the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shall periodically invite the highest scoring applicants to petition for visas. The bill limits eliminates various preference allocations (visa categories subject to various annual caps) for family-sponsored immigrant visas, such as those for the adult children of U.S. citizens. Only the spouses and children of U.S. citizens shall qualify as immediate relatives , whereas currently parents also qualify (visas for immediate relatives are not subject to direct numerical caps). The bill creates a nonimmigrant visa for such alien parents. The bill reduces the baseline annual cap for family-sponsored visas from 480,000 to 88,000 and revises the methods for calculating the cap. It also imposes a limit of 50,000 refugees admitted in any fiscal year. An alien who received needs-based public benefits shall not be naturalized as a U.S. citizen until the individual who signed the affidavit of support for the alien has reimbursed the federal government for such benefits. The bill imposes various reporting requirements related to the points-based system.

Bill· HRH.R. 2214 (116th)open

NO BAN Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act or the NO BAN Act This bill imposes limitations on the President's authority to suspend or restrict aliens from entering the United States and terminates certain presidential actions implementing such restrictions. It also prohibits religious discrimination in various immigration-related decisions, such as whether to issue an immigrant or non-immigrant visa, with certain exceptions. The President may temporarily restrict the entry of any aliens or class of aliens after the Department of State determines that the restriction would address specific acts that threaten U.S. interests such as security or public safety. The bill also imposes limitations on such restrictions, such as requiring the President, State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide specific evidence of a need for the restriction, and to narrowly tailor the restriction to meet a compelling government interest. Before imposing a restriction, the President, State Department, and DHS shall consult with Congress. The State Department and DHS shall report to Congress about the restriction within 48 hours of the restriction's imposition, with regular updates. If such reports are not made, the restriction shall immediately terminate.

Bill· HRH.R. 2203 (116th)referred

Homeland Security Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

Homeland Security Improvement Act This bill establishes various bodies and policies related to border security operations. It also limits when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may separate a child from a parent or legal guardian. The bill establishes the independent DHS Border Oversight Commission. The commission's duties shall include recommending policies to protect civil rights and improve the safety of  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The bill establishes the Office of the Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns. The office shall independently receive and resolve complaints and requests for assistance regarding border security and immigration activities. The office shall have the power to provide redress, including immigration relief and monetary damages. The office's other responsibilities include monitoring local offices and recommending disciplinary actions against contractors that have violated policies. The bill establishes the Border Community Liaison Office. The office's duties include consulting with communities in sectors on the northern and southern borders when developing policies and programs. DHS shall ensure CBP officers receive continual education and training each year on topics including interaction with vulnerable populations and professional conduct standards. The bill imposes data collection requirements on law enforcement officials conducting border and immigration-related stops and searches. A child may not be removed from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or within 100 miles of the border except in certain instances, such as when a court determines that removal of the child is in the child's best interests. The bill requires various reports, including a Government Accountability Office report on the use of force by CBP and ICE.

Bill· HRH.R. 2217 (116th)referred

Families, Not Facilities Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

Families, Not Facilities Act of 2019 This bill amends provisions related to the safety of minor aliens who enter the United States unaccompanied by a guardian. When placing an unaccompanied alien child with a proposed custodian, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall not consider the custodian's immigration status. DHS shall not use certain information obtained for placing a child with a custodian to apprehend, detain, or deport certain individuals, including the child, proposed sponsor, or a person living with the sponsor. The Office of Refugee Settlement shall provide services for unaccompanied alien children after they have been released to help them transition into their communities and to connect them with legal representation. Money appropriated to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for FY2019 shall be redirected to fund such services. Other money appropriated for ICE shall be redirected to various programs to inspect detention facilities and bolster efforts to prevent child trafficking. This bill also establishes the Office of Refugee Resettlement Advisory Committee on Shelters for Unaccompanied Alien Children. The advisory committee may conduct unannounced inspections of Office of Refugee Settlement shelters that hold unaccompanied alien children and shall issue reports on its investigations and recommendations regarding the shelters.

Bill· HRH.R. 2260 (116th)referred

E-bonding for Immigration Integrity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

E-bonding for Immigration Integrity Act of 2019 This bill requires an alien who is in one of the following nonimmigrant categories to post a bond prior to being issued a U.S. entry visa: (1) an alien who is from a country with a visa overstay rate greater than 1.5%; or (2) a B-visa tourist or business entrant, an F-visa foreign student, an H-visa temporary specialty profession or nonagricultural worker, or a K-visa fiance/fiancee. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall (1) establish a $2,500-$10,000 bond amount, which shall be reviewed annually, for each visa category based upon overstay risk; and (2) identify nonimmigrant visa category overstay rates, including categories with overstay rates greater than 1.5%. The bond shall be released to the posting alien upon (1) receiving notification that the alien has left the United States and returned to the country of origin, or (2) the alien changing or adjusting to an immigration status for which no bond is required. The bill establishes the E-bond Enforcement Fund which shall be funded by forfeited bonds and used to ensure compliance with this bill and to administer enforcement programs. DHS shall report to Congress annually regarding: (1) visa overstay rates by nonimmigrant category, (2) categories with overstay rates greater than 1.5%, (3) bond amounts, and (4) fund information.

Bill· SS. 1123 (116th)referred

NO BAN Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act or the NO BAN Act This bill imposes limitations on the President's authority to suspend or restrict aliens from entering the United States and terminates certain presidential actions implementing such restrictions. It also prohibits religious discrimination in various immigration-related decisions, such as whether to issue an immigrant or non-immigrant visa, with certain exceptions. The President may temporarily restrict the entry of any aliens or class of aliens after the Department of State determines that the restriction would address specific acts that threaten U.S. interests such as security or public safety. The bill also imposes limitations on such restrictions, such as requiring the President, State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide specific evidence of a need for the restriction, and to narrowly tailor the restriction to meet a compelling government interest. Before imposing a restriction, the President, State Department, and DHS shall consult with Congress. The State Department and DHS shall report to Congress about the restriction within 48 hours of the restriction's imposition, with regular updates. If such reports are not made, the restriction shall immediately terminate.

Bill· SS. 1103 (116th)referred

RAISE Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act or the RAISE Act This bill eliminates the diversity visa program, replaces employment-based immigration programs with a points-based system, and imposes various limits on various types of immigration. Aliens that reach the minimum number of points may apply for a points-based visa. Points are awarded for various characteristics including age, English language proficiency, education level, and investments made in the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shall periodically invite the highest scoring applicants to petition for visas. The bill limits eliminates various preference allocations (visa categories subject to various annual caps) for family-sponsored immigrant visas, such as those for the adult children of U.S. citizens. Only the spouses and children of U.S. citizens shall qualify as immediate relatives , whereas currently parents also qualify (visas for immediate relatives are not subject to direct numerical caps). The bill creates a nonimmigrant visa for such alien parents. The bill reduces the baseline annual cap for family-sponsored visas from 480,000 to 88,000 and revises the methods for calculating the cap. It also imposes a limit of 50,000 refugees admitted in any fiscal year. An alien who received needs-based public benefits shall not be naturalized as a U.S. citizen until the individual who signed the affidavit of support for the alien has reimbursed the federal government for such benefits. The bill imposes various reporting requirements related to the points-based system.

Bill· HRH.R. 2187 (116th)referred

JOLT Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act of 2019 or the JOLT Act of 2019 This bill establishes a nonimmigrant visa for qualified Canadian citizens and makes various amendments related to nonimmigrant visas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may admit as a visitor a Canadian citizen who (1) is at least 50 years old, (2) maintains a residence in Canada, (3) owns a U.S. residence or has signed a rental agreement for the duration of the stay, (4) is not inadmissible or deportable under various provisions, (5) will not engage in U.S. employment, and (6) will not seek U.S. assistance or benefits. Such visitors may be admitted for up to 240 days out of any single 365-day period. The Visa Waiver Program (program allowing citizens of participating countries to visit the United States without a visa) shall be renamed the Secure Travel Partnership Program. The bill amends various provisions relating to the program, such as the maximum nonimmigrant visa refusal rate a qualifying country may have. DHS may waive the refusal rate requirement if a country meets other requirements, such as entering into intelligence collection and information sharing arrangements with the United States. The Department of State shall set a goal of interviewing nonimmigrant visa applicants worldwide within 15 days of receiving the application and periodically report to Congress on efforts to meet this goal. The State Department shall conduct a pilot program for using secure remote videoconferencing technology for conducting visa interviews for certain classes of nonimmigrant visa applications.

Bill· HRH.R. 2175 (116th)referred

Stop Harmful Adolescent Marriage Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Stop Harmful Adolescent Marriage Act of 2019 This bill amends the definitions of the terms "spouse," "wife," and "husband" to exclude any individual under the age of 18 for immigration law purposes.

Bill· HRH.R. 2173 (116th)referred

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reserve EB-5 visas each fiscal year for investors in new commercial enterprises in areas with respect to which a major disaster has been declared by the President.

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

This bill reserves a certain number of EB-5 visas (immigrant investors) for immigrants who invest in a new commercial enterprise that will create employment in an area where the President has declared a major disaster. For a period of three fiscal years starting from the fiscal year in which a disaster has been declared, 100 such visas must be reserved for each fiscal year.

Bill· HRH.R. 2146 (116th)referred

GRACE Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement Act or the GRACE Act This bill establishes that the maximum number of refugees admitted each fiscal year shall be no less than 95,000 and that the maximum number shall be treated as the numerical goal for refugee admissions for the applicable fiscal year. The President may set a higher number if it is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest. Currently, the number admitted each fiscal year may not exceed 50,000 unless the President determines that a higher number is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest. The bill directs the President to take into consideration information from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees when establishing the maximum admission number and making certain other related decisions. The President shall report to Congress quarterly on (1) the number of refugees admitted during the preceding quarter, (2) the number of aliens who were security-cleared during the preceding quarter, (3) a plan to reach the numerical goal for admitted refugees for that fiscal year, and (4) other related information.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 299 (116th)referred

Condemning White Supremacist Terrorism and the Anti-immigrant Rhetoric that Inspires It Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Condemning White Supremacist Terrorism and the Anti-immigrant Rhetoric that Inspires It Resolution This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that immigration makes the United States stronger and that the House is committed to keeping the United States open to those lawfully seeking refuge and asylum from violence and oppression, regardless of their race, faith, or country of origin. The resolution rejects white supremacist ideology and condemns political leaders who legitimize it.

Bill· SS. 1095 (116th)referred

American Dream Employment Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

American Dream Employment Act of 201 9 This bill permits the compensation of congressional employees who hold a current employment authorization document that was issued under the Department of Homeland Security Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. The program enables many unlawfully present aliens who came to the United States as children to be granted deferred action (a type of relief from removal which does not confer immigration status) and work authorization.

Bill· SS. 1088 (116th)referred

GRACE Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement Act or the GRACE Act This bill establishes that the maximum number of refugees admitted each fiscal year shall be no less than 95,000 and that the maximum number shall be treated as the numerical goal for refugee admissions for the applicable fiscal year. The President may set a higher number if it is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest. Currently, the number admitted each fiscal year may not exceed 50,000 unless the President determines that a higher number is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest. The bill directs the President to take into consideration information from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees when establishing the maximum admission number and making certain other related decisions. The President shall report to Congress quarterly on (1) the number of refugees admitted during the preceding quarter, (2) the number of aliens who were security-cleared during the preceding quarter, (3) a plan to reach the numerical goal for admitted refugees for that fiscal year, and (4) other related information.

Bill· HRH.R. 2124 (116th)referred

E–2 Visa Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019

E-2 Visa Improvement Act of 2019 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit a nonimmigrant E-2 alien (treaty investor) who has been in the United States in such status for at least 10 years and has created full-time employment for at least 2 individuals to apply for immediate employment-based immigrant status. Up to 10,000 such visas may be made available each fiscal year. Sons and daughters of E-2 aliens (or aliens seeking such status) can remain on their parent's visa as a child until age 26. Employment authorization may be granted at age 18.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 295 (116th)referred

Reaffirming that voting is a fundamental right of all eligible United States citizens and recognizing that allowing illegal immigrants the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens.

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019

This resolution reaffirms that voting is a fundamental right of citizenship and declares that allowing immigrants not legally in the country the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of U.S. citizens.

Bill· SS. 1042 (116th)referred

HOPE Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Healthcare Opportunities for Patriots in Exile Act or the HOPE Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to parole into the United States an alien veteran who (1) is seeking temporary admission to receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and (2) is outside the United States after having been ordered removed or voluntarily departed from the United States. Such parole shall not be available for an alien who is inadmissible due to a criminal conviction for a crime of violence, excluding a purely political offense, or a crime that endangers U.S. national security, for which the alien has served at least five years in prison.

Bill· SS. 1040 (116th)referred

I–VETS Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Immigrant Veterans Eligibility Tracking System Act or the I-VETS Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify aliens who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces, when such an alien applies for an immigration benefit or is placed in an immigration enforcement proceeding. Such information shall be reflected in DHS records, and shall not be used to remove an alien from the United States.

Bill· SS. 1004 (116th)open

Securing America's Ports of Entry Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Securing America's Ports of Entry Act of 2019 This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to increase the number of field operations officers to specified levels. If the CBP does not adequately increase personnel, the Government Accountability Office must report on CBP hiring practices.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 287 (116th)referred

Condemning the President's threat to shut down the United States-Mexico border to the detriment of the United States economy.

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

This resolution (1) opposes the President's threat to close the U.S.-Mexico border, (2) opposes the President's action blocking the use of funds intended to address root causes of migration, and (3) affirms that asylum-seeking individuals have a right to due process and humane treatment.

Bill· HRH.R. 2049 (116th)referred

Unaccompanied Alien Children Assistance Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Unaccompanied Alien Children Assistance Control Act This bill directs the President to reduce foreign assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras based on how many unaccompanied alien children from each of those countries are placed in custody for immigration status. For each unaccompanied alien child placed in custody who is a citizen or national of one of these countries, the President shall reduce assistance to that country by $30,000 the following fiscal year.

Bill· HRH.R. 1996 (116th)referred

Secure Travel Partnership Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2019

Secure Travel Partnership Act of 2019 This bill renames the Visa Waiver Program (program allowing citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa) as the Secure Travel Partnership.

Bill· HRH.R. 1998 (116th)referred

Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2019

Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent disclosing information from applications to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), except to implement the program. Application information may be shared only to identify or prevent fraudulent claims, for particularized national security purposes relating to the applicant, or to investigate or prosecute a felony not related to immigration status. The bill also prohibits DHS from referring any individual with deferred action status to ICE, CBP, the Department of Justice, or any law enforcement agency.

Bill· HRH.R. 1989 (116th)referred

Break the Chain Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2019

Break the Chain Act This bill makes various changes related to family-sponsored immigration, such as narrowing the definition of what constitutes an immediate relative and lowering the annual numerical cap on certain classes of family-sponsored visas. The alien parents of U.S. citizens shall not qualify for visas for immediate relatives , which are not subject to any direct numerical limits. Currently, the spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of citizens are considered immediate relatives. The bill also reduces the baseline annual cap for family-sponsored visas from 480,000 to 87,934, and revises the methods for calculating the cap. Currently, the 480,000 cap may be adjusted depending on various factors but shall not be less than 226,000. A spouse or child of a sponsoring alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence shall be subject to the family-sponsored visa cap. The bill revises the rules for determining whether an alien is a child for the purposes of family-sponsored immigration, and establishes that an alien who is married or turns 25 years old prior to a visa becoming available for issuance shall not qualify as a child. The bill creates a nonimmigrant classification for alien parents of adult U.S. citizens, which authorizes such alien parents for admission into the United States for an initial five-year period. Such alien parents shall not be authorized for employment or to receive any public benefits.

Bill· SS. 948 (116th)referred

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2019

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act This bill modifies the Conrad 30 Waiver program, which incentivizes qualified foreign physicians to serve in underserved communities. It also extends statutory authority for the program through FY2021. Aliens coming to the United States under a J-1 nonimmigrant visa to receive medical training typically must leave the country and reside for two years abroad before being eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or permanent residence. The Conrad program waives this requirement for individuals who meet certain qualifications, including serving for a number of years at a health care facility in an underserved area. The bill increases the number of waivers that a state may obtain each fiscal year from 30 to 35 if a certain number of waivers were used the previous year, and provides for further adjustments depending on demand. An alien physician may be employed at an academic medical center to meet the Conrad program's employment requirements if the alien's work is in the public interest, even if the medical center is not in an underserved area. Employment contracts for alien physicians under the Conrad program shall contain certain information, such as the maximum number of on-call hours per week the physician shall have to work. Certain alien physicians (along with the physician's spouse and children) shall be exempt from the direct annual numerical limits on immigration, including those physicians that have met certain requirements related to visas for physicians to serve in underserved areas.

Bill· HRH.R. 1928 (116th)referred

No Sanctuary for Criminals Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2019

No Sanctuary for Criminals Act of 2019 This bill bars any government entity or individual from prohibiting or restricting a government entity, official, or other personnel from (1) complying with immigration laws, (2) cooperating with immigration enforcement, (3) making inquiries to an individual to obtain immigration-related information, or (4) complying with immigration-related informational inquiries from federal law enforcement entities. States or local entities that fail to comply with such a bar shall be ineligible for certain federal funds and grants for at least one year. (Such provisions expand on current provisions barring a government entity or official from prohibiting or restricting a government entity or official from exchanging certain information with federal immigration officials.) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may issue a detainer as to an individual in federal or state custody if DHS has probable cause to believe the individual is an inadmissible or deportable alien. (Currently, the statute allows immigration officials to issue a detainer for an individual who has been arrested for violating a controlled substance-related law if such officials have reason to believe the individual is violating immigration laws. Current DHS policy allows for the issuance of detainers in other situations as well, though this policy has been called into question by a federal district court, and this bill would provide statutory authority for the current policy.) A victim of a felony (or certain close relatives) for which an alien has been convicted and sentenced for at least one year may sue each state or local government entity or official if the defendant (1) refused to honor an immigration-law related detainer and released the alien from custody prior to the crime, or (2) has a policy of not complying certain immigration enforcement-related laws.

Bill· HRH.R. 1926 (116th)referred

Protect Our Liberian Community Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2019

Protect Our Liberian Community Act of 2019 This bill establishes that a national of Liberia shall be deemed to have registered for temporary protected status as of April 1, 2019, for three years, if the national registered for such status at any time and was present in the United States on March 30, 2019, under deferred enforced departure. Temporary protected status is available to nationals of certain designated countries, and such aliens shall have work authorization not be removed from the United States while the status is in effect. Liberia's designation was terminated as of May 21, 2017. The President has granted deferred enforced departure status to Liberian nationals, which prevents their removal from the country and provides work authorization, until March 30, 2020. Individuals with temporary protected status under this bill shall have employment authorization for the three-year period, and any lapse of authorization between April 1, 2019, and the enactment date of this bill shall not affect the validity of such an individual's employment authorization document.

Bill· HRH.R. 1885 (116th)referred

No Federal Funding to Benefit Sanctuary Cities Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2019

No Federal Funding to Benefit Sanctuary Cities Act This bill prohibits a sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving federal financial assistance. The term "sanctuary jurisdiction" means a state or local government that prohibits or restricts (1) information sharing about an individual's immigration status, or (2) compliance with a lawfully issued detainer request or notification of release request. The bill authorizes a state or local government to comply with a detainer and limits the liability of a state or local government for complying with the detainer.

Bill· HRH.R. 1871 (116th)referred

Protect Patriot Parents Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2019

Protect Patriot Parents Act This bill makes certain aliens who are parents of a veteran eligible for adjustment to permanent residence status. An eligible alien shall be an individual who is a parent of a U.S. citizen who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, either on active duty or in a reserve component. If the U.S. citizen has been discharged from the Armed Forces, such discharge must be under honorable conditions. Certain factors that would otherwise make an alien inadmissible, such as having entered the United States without being admitted, shall not make such an alien parent ineligible for permanent residence status under this bill. The Department of Homeland Security may also waive certain factors that would otherwise make an alien inadmissible, such as having misrepresented a material fact to secure a visa, if the alien does not pose a threat to the public and has not committed any crimes that are unrelated to immigration status.

Bill· SS. 879 (116th)referred

SECURE Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2019

Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act or the SECURE Act This bill allows qualified nationals of a country that has or had a temporary protected status designation to obtain permanent resident status. Such an alien qualifies for permanent residence if the alien had temporary protected status, qualified for such status on certain dates, or was present in the United States due to having been granted deferred enforced departure status that extended past a certain date; has been continuously present in the United States for three years before applying for adjustment or before being removed after a certain date; is not inadmissible or deportable for certain reasons; and passes applicable background checks. The continuous presence requirement may be waived in certain instances. A spouse, domestic partner, child, or unmarried child of a qualifying alien may also obtain permanent resident status under the bill upon meeting certain requirements. An alien with a pending application shall receive work authorization and be eligible for travel authorization. An alien may not be removed if the alien (1) has a pending application, or (2) is prima facie eligible for permanent resident status under this bill and intends to apply. Information from applications may not be used or shared for immigration enforcement, with limited exceptions such as for identifying fraudulent claims. The Department of Homeland Security must report to Congress when terminating a country's temporary protected status designation with an explanation justifying the termination.

Bill· SS. 874 (116th)referred

Dream Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2019

Dream Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel removal and grant lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis to an alien who is inadmissible or deportable or is in temporary protected status who (1) has been continuously physically present in the United States for four years preceding this bill's enactment; (2) was younger than 18 years of age on the initial date of U.S. entry; (3) is not inadmissible on various grounds such as those related to crime or security; and (4) has fulfilled specified educational requirements. DHS shall cancel the removal of, and adjust to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence on a conditional basis, an alien who was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status unless the alien has engaged in conduct that would make the alien ineligible for DACA. DHS shall remove the conditional basis of the permanent resident status granted under this bill if the alien meets various requirements, such as (1) maintaining residence in the United States, and (2) acquiring a degree from an institution of higher education or serving in the Uniformed Services. DHS may not disclose or use information provided in applications filed under this bill or in DACA requests for immigration enforcement purposes. The bill repeals a restriction barring states from providing higher education benefits to undocumented aliens unless those benefits are available to all U.S. citizens.

Bill· HRH.R. 1778 (116th)referred

Dairy and Sheep H–2A Visa Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2019

Dairy and Sheep H-2A Visa Enhancement Act This bill expands the H-2A nonimmigrant visa category (temporary agricultural workers) to include dairy workers and sheepherders. The initial period of admission for such temporary workers shall be for three years, and may be extended for additional three-year periods. No period of absence from the United States shall be necessary for an extension.

Bill· HRH.R. 1762 (116th)referred

Partner with Korea Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2019

Partner with Korea Act This bill creates an E-4 treaty trader visa category for up to 15,000 nationals of South Korea each fiscal year who are coming to the United States solely to perform specialty occupation services, subject to various requirements. The 15,000 limit shall only apply to principal aliens and not the spouses or children of such aliens. A specialty occupation is one that requires the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or higher.

Bill· SS. 843 (116th)referred

Partner with Korea Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2019

Partner with Korea Act This bill creates an E-4 treaty trader visa category for up to 15,000 nationals of South Korea each fiscal year who are coming to the United States solely to perform specialty occupation services, subject to various requirements. The 15,000 limit shall only apply to principal aliens and not the spouses or children of such aliens. A specialty occupation is one that requires the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or higher.

Bill· HRH.R. 1740 (116th)referred

Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2019

Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act This bill establishes a new nonimmigrant visa for temporary nonagricultural workers (H-2C visa) to fill jobs that have remained open for a certain amount of time and are located in an area where the unemployment rate is 4.9% or less. This visa shall only be available for certain occupations, and those requiring a bachelor's degree or higher level of education shall not be eligible. The bill imposes various requirements related to H-2C positions, such as requiring that the employer make certain efforts to recruit a U.S. worker beforehand. The employer must register the opening before filling it with an H-2C worker, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall maintain a publicly available registry of registered positions. For the first fiscal year after the bill's enactment, no more than 65,000 positions may be registered. For subsequent fiscal years, the number shall be increased or decreased depending on how many positions were registered the previous year and how quickly the allotment was filled. A certain number of allocations shall be reserved for small businesses. An employer seeking to hire H-2C workers shall register with DHS and provide documentation establishing that the employer meets various qualifications. An employer may become ineligible for registration for certain actions, such as having been penalized for a pattern of willful violation of wage and hour laws. H-2C workers shall not be entitled to certain federal public benefits. The Bureau of the Census shall report to Congress on the impact of the H-2C program.

Bill· HRH.R. 1738 (116th)referred

Protecting Children Through Eliminating Visa Loopholes Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2019

Protecting Children Through Eliminating Visa Loopholes Act This bill requires an alien who seeks to qualify for a nonimmigrant visa as the fiance or spouse of a U.S. citizen to be at least 18 years old, and the sponsoring U.S. citizen must also be at least 18 years old. The bill also establishes that the terms "spouse," "wife," and "husband" shall not apply to any individual less than 18 years old for the purposes of the immigration and nationality laws.

Bill· HRH.R. 1734 (116th)referred

Ensuring Full Participation in the Census Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2019

Ensuring Full Participation in the Census Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Bureau of the Census from using questions regarding citizenship, nationality, or immigration status in the decennial census. The bill does not apply to the American Community Survey.

Bill· HRH.R. 1700 (116th)referred

Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019

Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress on specified Mexican drug cartels and determine whether they qualify as foreign terrorist organizations under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The State Department shall explain in detail its reasoning if it concludes that any of the specified cartels do not qualify. The report shall analyze the Reynosa/Los Metros faction of the Gulf Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and the Cartel Del Noreste faction of Los Zetas.

Bill· SS. 742 (116th)referred

Protecting Children Through Eliminating Visa Loopholes Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019

Protecting Children Through Eliminating Visa Loopholes Act This bill requires an alien who seeks to qualify for a nonimmigrant visa as the fiance or spouse of a U.S. citizen to be at least 18 years old, and the sponsoring U.S. citizen must also be at least 18 years old. The bill also establishes that the terms "spouse," "wife," and "husband" shall not apply to any individual less than 18 years old for the purposes of the immigration and nationality laws.

Bill· HRH.R. 6 (116th)open

American Dream and Promise Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019

American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 This bill cancels and prohibits removal proceedings against certain aliens and provides such aliens with a path toward permanent resident status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall cancel removal proceedings against certain aliens who entered the United States as minors and grant such aliens conditional permanent residence status for 10 years. The bill imposes various qualification requirements, such as the alien being continuously physically present in the United States and being enrolled in or having completed certain educational programs. Aliens who were eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status and not disqualified for renewal also qualify. DHS shall remove the conditional permanent resident status granted to such aliens, if the alien applies and meets certain requirements, such as completing certain programs at an educational institution or serving at least two years in the Uniformed Services and being discharged honorably. This bill also repeals a restriction that bars states from providing higher education benefits to undocumented aliens unless those benefits are available to all U.S. citizens. DHS or DOJ shall cancel removal proceedings against certain aliens who qualified for temporary protected status or Deferred Enforced Departure status on certain past dates (both statuses temporarily protect covered aliens from removal). For such aliens who apply, DHS shall grant permanent residence status. When DHS eliminates temporary protected status for nationals of a foreign country, it shall report to Congress its reasons for doing so.

Bill· HRH.R. 1640 (116th)referred

Uniting Families Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2019

Uniting Families Act of 2019 This bill establishes a non-immigrant visa category for an alien who (1) is 18 or older and is the genetic son or daughter of a U.S. citizen who served in the Armed Forces on active duty abroad; or (2) is the spouse or child of such alien and is accompanying, or following to join, such alien. To obtain a visa, the alien's citizen parent must petition and receive approval from the Department of Homeland Security. The petition shall include (1) DNA evidence establishing the parent-child relationship, (2) a written statement that the parent will provide financial support until the alien receives lawful permanent resident status, and (3) proof of the parent's U.S. citizenship and active duty with the Armed Forces abroad. The period of authorized admission for aliens with the visa is five years, and 5,000 principal visa aliens may be admitted per fiscal year. Holders of such a visa may adjust to lawful permanent resident status after meeting various requirements, such as being admissible as an immigrant.

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